STATE OF MINNESOTA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
Class Code: 002867
Barg. Unit: 214
Career Family: Agriculture Careers
AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST
KIND OF WORK
The first of three classes in a class series in agricultural professional regulatory work.
NATURE AND PURPOSE
Under general supervision, but usually assigned to remote locations without recourse to immediate supervision
except via telephone and e-mail, persons in this class perform establishment inspections, preliminary label
reviews, and complaint and violation investigations. They respond to agricultural chemical incidents and animal
poisoning events or respond to food emergencies that affect the public health. They plan for sampling or collect
samples of regulated products. Written reports are submitted as documentation of the compliance status of the
firms regulated and as documentation of their work. They may train, monitor and evaluate the work of County
Agricultural Inspectors or delegated Local Health agencies in their assigned geographical areas. They perform
related work as required. They report to supervisors routinely by telephone, fax, and e-mail.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Specialist: The incumbent has limited discretion and operates under frequent direct or indirect supervision.
Advisor: The incumbent has a greater level of independence and discretion and decisions made by the
incumbent have greater weight than the specialist. The incumbent has greater freedom of judgment – makes
decisions, conducts negotiations or training with local government representatives, plans field work, or plans
and conducts investigations and interviews with limited oversight.
OPTIONS
All unlimited classified positions in this class must have options.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
(A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.)
Inspect agricultural chemical facilities, including bulk pesticide and fertilizer storage, anhydrous ammonia
storage and nurse tanks; seed houses; feed manufacturing; or livestock establishments.
Discuss violations observed during inspections with plant management and provide information needed to bring
firm into compliance.
Obtain official samples of regulated products. Provide cursory review of labels to judge compliance with label
wording requirements.
Direct and coordinate the work of several county agricultural inspectors in assigned area.
Respond to complaints of local weed inspectors and CAIs on the more difficult enforcement cases of violative
noxious weed growth.
Investigate citizen and industry complaints of alleged violations of any of the several laws enforced, including
pesticide misuse, human or animal illness related to regulated products, tissue residue violations, seed nonperformance, etc.
Agricultural Specialist
Class Specification
Page 2
Respond to agricultural chemical incidents, providing early advice on containment and environmental damage
and reduction.
Design and evaluate written tests for pesticide applicators to measure competency prior to certification and
licensing by reviewing testing materials and by incorporating innovations and changes that affect the industry
legally, economically and technically.
Inspect food processors, wholesalers, bakers, and retailers in an assigned area to ensure that sanitation, food
wholesomeness, labeling, facilities and temperatures meet state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
Conduct slaughter and meat processing to ensure that the processing of meat is safe and sanitary and meets all
laws, rules and regulations.
Conduct investigations involving food borne illness, chemical spills, storm damage, explosion, vehicle accidents,
fire or flood to ensure that foods continue to meet state and federal laws, rules and regulations including
collection of product and environmental samples.
Issue an embargo and/or condemn unwholesome or adulterated food.
License new food handlers and ensure existing food handlers have a current and appropriate license. Monitor
food handlers to ensure processing, packaging, labeling, handling, distributions, and sale will not create a public
hazard, fraud or jeopardize the public health.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Knowledge of:
State and federal laws, rules and procedures pertaining to regulated products, seed, pesticide, noxious weeds,
and livestock sufficient to determine if violations have occurred and to assist firms to comply.
Industry practices in the areas regulated.
Basic natural and applied sciences such as soil science, hydrology, botany, zoology, agronomy, chemistry,
ecology, public and environmental health, toxicology, entomology, physics or similar sciences.
OR
Biological, chemical or physical sciences such as food, meat or animal science.
Problems involved with product/environmental contamination sufficient to detect violation and initiate
protective measures.
Ability to:
Collect evidence and documentation of observed violations, adequate to support charges.
Present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
Maintain effective working relationships with public officials, regulated individuals and the public.
Agricultural Specialist
Class Specification
Page 3
Lift 50 pounds.
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Occasional proximity to hazardous agricultural chemicals or food borne pathogens and entry into private
industry facilities.
Est.: 2/69
Rev.: 3/84, 8/97, 2/98, 9/10
TC: 9/89, 10/86, 3/94
Former Title(s) : Pesticide Control Specialist;
Agronomy Regulatory Specialist; Agricultural
Regulatory Specialist